While I agree with Senator Jim Bunning that the situation in Iraq is improving contrary to the coverage of only bad news, that the slow, hard grind to Iraqi self-governance has begun in earnest, and that first-hand observations of progress are a welcome respite to the media's doom and gloom...
Bunning visits troops in Iraq, says morale high
WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., said yesterday, after two days of visiting Iraq, that U.S. military officials believe attacks on coalition forces have been less frequent since Saddam Hussein was captured last month, but the insurgents "are trying to make a bigger score."Recent rocket attacks are evidence of that tactic, Bunning told reporters by telephone from Kuwait City.
Bunning and Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., visited Baghdad on Wednesday and Mosul, in northern Iraq, yesterday. They are scheduled to fly to Spain today for a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, then to return to Washington tomorrow.
...I think the good Senator is a little fuzzy on the state of Russian politics/current events as this remark amply demonstrates:
"Freedom is sprouting up, and it's just a question, like in Russia, of how long it takes everyone to realize no bad guy is going to come back to take over," Bunning said.
Who does Bunning think Putin is? Clinton's feckless diplomacy and Gore's naiveté allowed the last of the KGB hard liners to gain control in Russia (Gore was the official go-to guy for the Russian transition ).
A hat tip to Tim at CPT Patti.